Pellet diameter

Pellet diameter is generally assumed to be important for feed intake of nursery pigs. However, nursery pigs seem to be very adaptable to a variety of pellet diameters (Edge et al., 2005; van den Brand et al., 2014). The common belief that small diameter pellets improve the ability of weanling pigs to apprehend and swallow feed is not sustained (Clark et al., 2016). Actually, feeding large pellets can increase feed intake of weanling pigs during the first week in the nursery compared to feeding small pellets (0.5 inch compared to 0.125 inch pellet diameter; Clark et al., 2016).

Fact Sheet: Feed Processing of Nursery Diets